Decorative Wireless Earphone Communication Device

ABSTRACT

A decorative wireless earphone communication device is described. The decorative wireless earphone communication device may include a pendant housing the electronics for the device, a necklace which supports the pendant around the neck of the user, an earphone connected to the pendant, and a decorative faceplate removably attached to the front of the pendant such that when the device is in use by the wearer, the pendant and decorative faceplate hangs naturally around the neck of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/648,530 filed May 17, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of different types of Bluetooth earphones available on the market. For example, some Bluetooth earphones are designed to hang from the ear, and others are designed as earplugs. The user typically selects a style based on their personal need. Many of these designs are not particularly decorative.

Some decorative designs for Bluetooth earphones have been created such as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,715,888 to Ko. This patent describes a Bluetooth earphone device that is in the form of a decorative necklace in which the earpiece is the decorative ornament of the necklace. While this device is not in use it appears as a decorative necklace. However, to use the device the user must effectively rotate the necklace and move the decorative ornament to their ear for insertion into the ear. While the device is in use, the decorative ornament is effectively on the side of the face of the user and thus destroys the appearance of a decorative necklace while the device is in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a decorative wireless earphone communication device that may include a pendant housing the electronics for the device, a necklace which supports the pendant around the neck of the user, an earphone connected to the pendant, and a decorative faceplate removably attached to the front of the pendant such that when the device is in use by the wearer, the pendant and decorative faceplate hang naturally around the neck of the user.

Some embodiments of the invention may include a wireless communication device comprising a necklace, a pendant connected to the necklace, where the pendant houses electronics for receiving and transmitting wireless signals, and wherein the pendant has a front surface, an earphone connected to an earphone cord, wherein the earphone cord is electrically connected to the pendant and a decorative faceplate removably attached to the front surface of the pendant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial back perspective view of a pendant.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a faceplate detached from a pendant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a decorative wireless earphone communication device that is adapted to communicate sound with another device such as by Bluetooth communication. With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a decorative wireless earphone communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The decorative wireless earphone communication device generally includes a pendant 12 which contains the electronics for the device, a necklace 14 which supports the pendant around the neck of the user, an earphone cord 16 connected to an earphone 20, and a decorative faceplate 18 removably attached to the front of the pendant 12.

The pendant 12 contains the electronics necessary to send and receive wireless signals, such as Bluetooth wireless signals. In certain embodiments, the pendant may pair with one or more Bluetooth compatible devices. The pendant 12 includes a microphone 22 adapted to receive sounds such as the voice of the user, a power on/off switch 24, a earphone jack 26, and a charging jack for charging the rechargeable battery (not shown) preferably housed within the pendant 12. In the embodiment illustration in FIG. 2, the earphone jack 26 may also function as a charging jack. Optionally, the rechargeable batter may be removable from the pendant such that it is easily replaced by the user. The location of the microphone 22, the power on/off switch 24, and the earphone jack 26 are not particularly limited and can be placed around the pendent in virtually any location that does not substantially interfere with the use of the decorative wireless earphone communication device. Further, the pendant 12 may also include one or more buttons for wireless communication functionality.

The necklace 14 forms a loop, sized to fit about the neck of the user. The pendant 12 is attached to or hangs from the necklace 14. In some embodiments, the necklace 14 may be connected to the pendant 12 in one or more locations and supports the weight of the pendant around the neck of the user. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides two locations. The necklace may be constructed from any variety of materials used for forming necklaces, including but no limited to, chain, wire, leather, string, rope, and other similar materials. Optionally the necklace 14 may include a detachable clasp 28. Further, the necklace 14 may be interchangeably connected to the pendant such that different styles of necklaces may be used and interchanged depending upon on the personal preferences of the user. Connections that provide interchangeability are well known in the art and any of such connections may be utilized with the pendent and necklace. This adds additional design creativity to the decorative wireless earphone communication device.

The earphone 20 is effectively a small speaker adapted to transmit sound to the ear of the user. The particular size or configuration of the earphone 20 is not particularly limited and may include, but is not limited to, earbuds, earplugs or other similar earphones. The earphone 20 is connected to the pendant 12 by the earphone cord 16. This connection to the pendant 12 may be permanent, or may optionally be detachable for example by using standard 2.5 mm audio jacks or other similar detachable connections. The earphone cord 16 may be of a variety of colors and styles to coordinate, match, or go with the necklace 14, thus giving the user more design flexibility for the decorative wireless earphone communication device. In additional embodiments, control switches or buttons, including but not limited to, volume control, mute control, call control, or other multipurpose functions, may be placed on or about the earphone cord 16. In further embodiments, the earphone may optionally contain a microphone.

Optionally, the earphone cord 16 may include at least one call indicator 29. The call indicator 29 alerts the user of an incoming call. The call indicator is in communication with the pendent such that when an incoming call is received by the pendent, electronic signals are transmitted to the call indicator 29 either wirelessly or by a physical electrical connection between the call indicator 29 and the pendent. The position of the call indicator 29 on the earphone cord is not particularly limited but should be located in a position that allows for the call indicator to effectively signal the user of an incoming call. The call indicator 29 may use one or more of audible, visual, or vibratory signals to alert the user of an incoming call. Audible signals may include any on of user selectable tones or melodies. Visual indicators may include, but are not limited to, one or more led lights utilizing one or more colors.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the back of the pendant 12 may be adapted to hold the earphone 20 when the earphone is not in use. In some embodiments, the earphone 20 will fit within an earphone mating portion 30 on the back of the pendant 12 which is adapted to receive the earphone 20. In some embodiments, a pair of weak magnets (not shown) may be located within the earphone 20 and the earphone mating portion 30 to further secure the earphone 20 to the pendant 12 when not in use. In some embodiments, the earphone mating portion 30 may be recessed into the back of the pendant 12 such that when the earphone 20 is located in the earphone mating portion 30, the earphone is flush with or nearly flush with the back of the pendant 12. The earphone 20 may also include a multipurpose button for wireless communication functionality. The earphone mating portion 30 may include a call answering/termination switch such that when the earphone is removed from the earphone mating portion, an incoming call is answered and when the earphone is reseated in the earphone mating portion, the call is terminated.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the decorative wireless earphone communication device 10 includes an interchangeable decorative faceplate 18. The decorative faceplate 18 is a faceplate providing ornamental functionality to the pendant 12. The design of the faceplate is not at all limited and may be made of virtually any material that will not substantially interfere with the electronics housed in the pendant 12. The decorative faceplate 18 may be held to the front surface of the pendant 12 by any number of methods, including but not limited to clasps around the edges of the pendant and decorative faceplate, mating magnets, non-permanent adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, and other similar attachment mechanisms. To aid in the maintaining the location of the decorative faceplate relative to the pendant, in some embodiments, the front surface of pendant 12 may include one or more indexing protrusions to match with corresponding features or indents in the decorative faceplate 18. A faceplate removal tool may be used to assist in removing the faceplate 18 from the pendent 12.

While the pendant 12 and decorative faceplate 18 have been shown as being circular, the size and shape of the pendant 12 and decorative faceplate 18 is not particularly limited. The pendant 12 and the decorative faceplate 18 may be of the same shape or different shapes, thus orienting the faceplate 18 with the pendant 12.

In use, the decorative wireless earphone communication device 10 is positioned around the neck of the user. The earphone 20 may be removed from the back of the pendant 12 and inserted in the ear of the wearer, the pendant 12 supported by the necklace 14, hangs naturally around the neck of the wearer and appears as a normal decorative necklace.

Having described certain embodiments of the invention in detail above, it is to be understood that modification or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication device comprising: a necklace; a pendant connected to the necklace, wherein the pendant houses electronics for receiving and transmitting wireless signals, and wherein the pendant has a front surface; an earphone connected to an earphone cord, wherein the earphone cord is electrically connected to the pendant; and a decorative faceplate removably attached to the front surface of the pendant.
 2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a call indicator positioned about the earphone cord.
 3. The wireless communication device of claim 2 wherein the call indicator is a vibratory indicator.
 4. The wireless communication device of claim 2 wherein the call indicator is a audible indicator.
 5. The wireless communication device of claim 2 wherein the call indicator is a visual indicator.
 6. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein the necklace is removable.
 7. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a microphone, a power switch, a rechargeable battery, and a charging jack.
 8. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein the pendant is adapted to receive the earphone in the back of the pendant.
 9. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising call control switches positioned about the earphone cord. 